Waters, Ireland's NIBRT Join Forces to Improve Product Analytics

The Irish National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) and Waters have formed a partnership for research as well as training. The aim is to develop advanced analytic systems and educate scientists on their use as well as drug regulations on both sides of the pond.

The partnership establishes NIBRT as a Waters Center of Innovation in the area of glycobiology research. Professor Pauline Rudd, NIBRT's principal investigator, and her team will be working with Waters’ mass spectrometry-based systems.

Furthermore, Waters and NIBRT have established the Complete Product and Processing Characterization Facility (CPPCF) for hands-on laboratory-based training covering biopharmaceutical analysis including protein and peptide characterization. The CPPCF's goal is to provide comprehensive training of industry and governmental technicians. The facility will also educate scientists on existing and upcoming U.S. and European drug regulations.

"The combination of Pauline Rudd's expertise in glycan analysis and Waters technology for analysis of complex biological samples provides a unique combination of capabilities that can help underpin Ireland's continued reputation as a centre of excellence for the very highest quality standards in biopharmaceutical manufacturing,” Sean Sherlock, minister for research and innovation, department of jobs, enterprise and innovation, commented during the opening ceremonies for the two new laboratories.

NIBRT's interim director Professor Ian Marison, added, "NIBRT was created by the Irish government to underpin the biopharmaceutical industry. One key area that NIBRT will focus on is research into improved product analytics to assist the industry in maintaining exacting quality standards. A second key area is bioanalytical training in the most modern and advanced analytical methods.

"This is being achieved through a major partnership with Waters, who are world leaders in analytical equipment development. This partnership will enable NIBRT, with the help of Waters, to provide advanced solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, including protein characterization, N- and O-glycan analysis."